Multi-dimensional visualization of temporal information

ABSTRACT

Various kinds of business and other information are tracked in real time. A coherent information visualization, for example as a time line, automatically, simultaneously presents relevant information to a user across multiple dimensions. Tools are provided that allow the user to establish and manipulate multi-dimensional linkages to develop insights into information gathered from multiple domains.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/338,170, filed on Dec. 27, 2011, which claims priority to U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/427,961, filed on Dec. 29,2010, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The invention relates to the organization, presentation, and use ofinformation. More particularly, the invention relates tomulti-dimensional visualization of temporal information.

Description of the Background Art

The field of information visualization has emerged “from research inhuman-computer interaction, computer science, graphics, visual design,psychology, and business methods. It is increasingly applied as acritical component in scientific research, digital libraries, datamining, financial data analysis, market studies, manufacturingproduction control, and drug discovery.” See, Benjamin B. Bederson andBen Shneiderman (2003); The Craft of Information Visualization: Readingsand Reflections, Morgan Kaufmann ISBN 1-55860-915-6.

Information visualization presumes that “visual representations andinteraction techniques take advantage of the human eye's broad bandwidthpathway into the mind to allow users to see, explore, and understandlarge amounts of information at once. Information visualization isfocused on the creation of approaches for conveying abstract informationin intuitive ways.” See, James J. Thomas and Kristin A. Cook (Ed.)(2005); Illuminating the Path: The R&D Agenda for Visual Analytics,National Visualization and Analytics Center. p. 30.

Information visualization insights are being applied in areas such as,scientific research, digital libraries, data mining, financial dataanalysis, market studies, manufacturing production control, and crimemapping.

There is a vast and rapidly growing amount of time-based data availableon networks, but no simple, standard way of viewing, sharing, andpresenting it. State of the art information visualization is relativelyunsophisticated in connection with such multi-dimensional, temporalinformation. Further, state of the art information visualization isrelatively static, lacking both the ability to provide real timeinformation transforms and the ability to establish and manipulatemulti-dimensional linkages to develop insights into information gatheredfrom multiple domains.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention addresses that fact that there is a largeamount of information available to individuals and organizations thatcould be valuable if it were organized in a useful way. Heretofore,there has not been a simple way to track and organize this information.Embodiments of the invention present a new way to track all kinds ofbusiness and other information in real time. An embodiment of theinvention provides a coherent information visualization, for example asa time line, that automatically, simultaneously presents relevantinformation to a user across multiple dimensions. An embodiment of theinvention provides tools that allow the user to establish and manipulatemulti-dimensional linkages to develop insights into information gatheredfrom multiple domains.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a display showing amulti-dimensional visualization of temporal information according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a display showing sources ofinformation for multi-dimensional visualization of temporal informationaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a strip according to theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation showing that preconfigured stripscan be selected from a library according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation showing that strips can be combinedtogether on dynamic screens according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation that shows a white line whichrepresents a target data threshold according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation that shows incident trackingaccording to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation that shows elected features whichinclude share, print, settings, and help buttons; sliders that control agraph vs. image display proportion; a target level to show performanceat a glance; and a “See More” button that shows additional events from aselected time period, according to the invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a use case for enterprisemetrics and reporting according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a use case for company-relatedWeb analytics according to the invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a use case for company-relatedactivity from public data sources according to the invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation that shows dynamic screens ofstrips grouped under tabs according to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation that shows navigation according tothe invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic representation that shows that strips are crossplatform according to the invention;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic representations of a widget windowaccording to the invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation that shows user settings forstrips according to the invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of a user dialog for the creationof a strip according to the invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic representation that shows user settings forstrips according to the invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic representation that shows user settings foradding a filter to a strip according to the invention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic representation that shows user settings forstrips according to the invention;

FIG. 22 is a block schematic diagram of an architecture for implementinga presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a more detailed detail block schematic diagram of anarchitecture for implementing a presently preferred embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 24 is a block schematic diagram of a machine in the exemplary formof a computer system within which a set of instructions for causing themachine to perform any one of the herein disclosed methodologies may beexecuted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention addresses that fact that there is a largeamount of information available to individuals and organizations thatcould be valuable if it were organized in a useful way. Heretofore,there has not been a simple way to track and organize this information.Embodiments of the invention present a new way to track all kinds ofbusiness and other information in real time. An embodiment of theinvention provides a coherent information visualization, for example asa time line, that automatically, simultaneously presents relevantinformation to a user across multiple dimensions and from multipledomains. An embodiment of the invention provides tools that allow theuser to establish and manipulate multi-dimensional linkages to developinsights into information gathered from multiple domains.

Terminology

For purposes of the discussion herein, the following terms shall havetheir accompanying meanings:

A strip is a single timeline.

A strip page is a unique URL containing one or more strips.

A strip tab is a subset of a strip page that contains one or morestrips.

A source is a strip data source.

A topic is a subject of interest to a strip user.

A filter filters a data source.

A strip template is a container for data in which no sources, topics, orfilters are defined.

A strip developer is a person or entity that uses the strip API tocreate custom strip configurations.

A widget window provides alternate ways, e.g. a non-timeline metaphor,for displaying strip source data, for example, a world map.

Discussion

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a display showing amulti-dimensional visualization of temporal information. In FIG. 1, aseries of strips are arranged along a timeline, each strip providinginformation of a different type and/or from a different source, butrelated in some useful way to the information in each of the otherstrips. Key features of this embodiment include the compatibility of thesystem herein disclosed with any device, the integration of all mediawithin the strip, the ability to drill down in an information sourcewhich is the information basis for the strip, the ability to observewhat is happening at a selected moment in time across multipledimensions for comparative analysis (derivative information), as well asthe ability to provide a view of such information sources over anextended period of time (integral information), the ability to sharedisplays and to embed them into other data sources, such as Web pages,the provision of a full set of user tools that allow for creation andconfiguration of strips by non-technical users, as well as archivaltools that may be used to save a display for later search and analysis,and the ability to pull information from public and proprietary datasources as it happens, using such sources as social media, news, Webtraffic, marketing and advertising campaign activity, internal systemsstatus, and financial market information.

Strip Creation/Configuration Features

In an embodiment of the invention, two methods are provided for stripcreation and configuration: a simple UI, and a programmatic approach(API).

The simple UI approach comprises a library of pre-created links to datasources and a library of pre-created strip templates, where the systemmatches a template to a data source link. In this embodiment, a userchooses from predefined sources and templates or creates his own stripby such operations as define/name strips, define/name tabs, anddefine/name dynamic screens. The UI allows the user to setviewing/sharing privileges, set scroll function/scroll rate, settimeline display duration, and set archiving parameters.

The programmatic access/control approach is provided for stripdevelopers to define and configure custom strips. The API allows theuser to, for example, create new strip templates, program a widgetwindow, set creation/sharing/viewing privileges, and set-up privatehosting.

Strip Template Types

In an embodiment, strip templates include event timelines, whichincorporate, for example, social media (text pictures video animation);news media, such as text, pictures, video, and animation; IT networkevents, financial transactions, Web traffic/events, including Websiteactivity and ad/marketing campaign tracking; calendar events; andcollaboration events, such as project management and real-timemessaging.

Strip templates also include graphs, which may comprise any type oftime-based graph and/or a combination event timeline/media/+graph.

Presentation/publishing

In an embodiment, data sources are harmonized to allow visual andprogrammatic comparison of data from different data sources at a singlemoment in time. The invention comprehends a platform-independent,browser-based presentation on desktop and mobile devices(device-independent). Strips can be embedded in other Web pages and/orWeb services and can be exported to any desired format, such as PDF,JPEG, and PPT.

Analysis

An embodiment of the invention organizes strips to compare synchronousevents from separate data sources visually or programmatically. Thisallows analysis with regard to, for example, resource allocation; ROIanalysis; analysis of collaborative activity; and impact analysis, forexample viewing drought vs.

commodity prices. The invention includes a drill-down feature thatenables users to click on strips to access more detailed data and/orestablish a direct two-way link to the referring data source. Thetimescale of single/multiple strips can be adjusted in real-time tosupport analysis/comparison of events from multiple data sources.Further, strips can be scrolled independently, i.e. asynchronously, tocompare events from different time periods visually.

Collaboration

Strips and strip dynamic screens can be shared, subject to sharingprivileges, across networks using common Web-based sharing methods, suchas emailing a URL. Comments can be attached/embedded on strip timelines.The invention thus comprehends the provision of tools enable a stripuser to engage the originator of data via a strip.

Archiving Any data displayed in a strip can be archived on the stripserver. Such archiving provides the user with the ability to travel backin time in strip timelines and perform visual or programmatic analysisof past events. Archiving also enables travel forward in time to viewscheduled future events for visual or programmatic analysis.

Search

Strip data can be searched using, for example, keywords, data parameterssuch as patterns and thresholds, and time period.

Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a display showing sources ofinformation for multi-dimensional visualization of temporal information.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a strip. As discussed above, astrip is a modular format for displaying time-based data. Such datacomprehends a variable time period 10. A strip is data sourceindependent, displays such forms of information as graphs 11, pictures12, video, text, and the like, is dynamically updated, and can be sharedas a URL. Media, such as photos, text, audio, and video, can beintegrated with quantitative data, shown in FIG. 3 as a graph, in atime-synchronous manner. Examples of strip data sources include (seeFIG. 2) proprietary sources, such as business performance analytics,enterprise network activity, customer and audience behaviors, metricsand scorecard outputs, and enterprise data sources, such as Oracle BL,SharePoint, Excel, Salesforce.com data, Cast Iron Systems, and Web SiteAnalytics; and public sources, such as search engines, news providers,RSS feeds, financial market data, including market activity andsentiment, most popular data, such as entertainment information,postings, and blog entries, and social media, such as Twitter® andFacebook®.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation showing that preconfigured stripscan be selected from a library. In the library environment, a pluralityof pre-made strip templates can be combined with a plurality ofpre-created data source links. Multiple strips can be nested inside of asummary strip that shows an aggregated view of several strip datasources. For example, 50 US state strips can feed data to one USAsummary strip. Further, a function can be applied to data within variousstrips to produce a resulting derived strip that can be displayed alongwith the data source strips. Such function can comprise any mathematicalfunctions, Boolean functions, and the like. Strips can also be used toidentify causation between events. Thus, this embodiment allows a userto see how an event shown in a first strip affects/causes another eventin at least a second strip.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation showing that strips can be combinedtogether on dynamic screens. Strips can scroll vertically as with moviecredits. Data is harmonized so that data from multiple data sources at asingle point in time can be observed and visually or programmaticallycompared. Left-hand labels 31-34 show topics and sources, as well asdata parameters, such as a vertical axis that shows a time scale for agraph.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation that shows a white line 41 whichrepresents a target data threshold. When the target is reached orexceeded, an alert message can be generated. Thus, in an embodimentalerts in the form of notification messages are automatically dispatchedwhen a target threshold is reached or exceeded. These messages may beaddressed to humans or to machines. In the case of machines, an alertmessage may trigger a machine event. A summary data panel 42 showscurrent values compared with a selected moment from the past.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation that shows incident tracking. Asshown in FIG. 7, a page of graph strips enables quick visual comparisonof the behavior of multiple data sources.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation that shows selected features whichinclude share, print, settings, and help buttons 60; sliders thatcontrol a graph vs. image display proportion 61; a target level to showperformance at a glance 62; and a “See More” button 63 that showsadditional events from a selected time period.

FIGS. 9-11 show various use cases for embodiments of the invention.These figures are provided as examples only. Many other uses arepossible with the invention and the use cases shown in FIGS. 9-11 shouldnot be considered limiting to the scope of the invention in any way.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a use case for enterprisemetrics and reporting. In FIG. 9, strips are provided that show companybookings 70, company IT incidents 71, a company key performance indictor72, and other key performance indicators 73.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a use case for company-relatedWeb analytics. In FIG. 10, strips are provided that show top newsstories for a company's market segment 80, company website traffic 81,company partner website traffic 82, and company competitor websitetraffic 83.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a use case for company-relatedactivity from public data sources. In FIG. 11, strips are provided thatshow search for the company name on Google® 90, searches for thecompany's industry sector on Google® 91, tweets that mention the company92, and Facebook® postings that mention the company.

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation that shows dynamic screens ofstrips grouped under tabs. In FIG. 12, tabs are provided for analytics100, social sites 101, finance 102, and news/public relations 103.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation that shows navigation, including abutton or region 110 that is clicked to drill down to underlying data; abutton or region 111 that is clicked to zoom in on a period to see eventdetails; and a scroll function 112 to scroll through events in a timeperiod.

FIG. 14 is a schematic representation which shows that strips are crossplatform. In FIG. 14, strips are shown displayed on a handheld device120 and a tablet device 121. However, strips can also be displayed onany other device, such as a desktop or laptop computer, a television,via a projector, a data ticker, and the like.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic representations of a widget window. Awidget window is a flexible window that displays strip data using analternative metaphor, for example on a newscast video (FIG. 15) or on amap (FIG. 16). The strips display the data using a timeline metaphor andthe map, for example, adds a geographic component to the display,showing where the events occur. It should be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that any visual metaphor can be used in thisembodiment, For example, one can show video clips in the window thatrelate to/are driven by the strip timeline content, such as a businessnewscast, as shown on FIG. 15.

FIGS. 17-21 are a series of screen shots that schematically representvarious user operations in connection with the invention disclosedherein.

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation that shows user settings forstrips. In the example of FIG. 17, a user selects a + symbol 150 to adda strip to the display.

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation that shows a selection for addinga strip.

FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of a user dialog for the creationof a strip. In FIG. 19, the user is directed to PICK A TOPIC, CHOOSEYOUR SOURCE(S), and NAME YOUR PAGE. When the user selects SAVE, thestrip is created.

FIG. 20 is a schematic representation that shows user settings foradding a filter to a strip. Filters are used in a variety of ways. Forexample, a filter can be invoked to compare two temporal data setsquickly, where one data set is filtered and one data set is unfiltered.One data set might show all stock trades made in the last 24 hours andanother filtered data set might show only those stock trades where theprice per share was $20 or less. Strips enable dynamic creation andadjustment of filters for quick visual and programmatic comparison offiltered and unfiltered data in the temporal domain.

FIG. 21 is a schematic representation that shows user settings forstrips.

Architecture

FIG. 22 is a block schematic diagram of an architecture for implementinga presently preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 22, publicdata sources 220 and proprietary company data sources 221 are madeavailable to the system via a backend facility 222. Information isstored in a data archive 223. The information is assembled for a user ina presentation layer 224 and operated upon in an account workspace 225,subject to user authentication 226. User access is via a Web portal 227in this embodiment, e.g. tickr.com.

FIG. 23 is a more detailed block schematic diagram of an architecturefor implementing a presently preferred embodiment of the invention. InFIG. 23, an application server 230 receives information from a pluralityof public information sources 232 and/or, via a third party applicationserver plug-in 231, from private information sources 238. A useraccesses this information and operates a UI via a user browser 234running an application 235, such as a script 233. The script alsohandles output 236 for presentation to the user. A communications layer237, for example providing LDAP, SAML, and authentication services,handles the exchange of information between the user end of the systemand the application server.

The script 233 comprises an open source visualization library thatprovides HTML/Javascript.

The application server 230 comprises a security authorization facility.An API provides access to user management functions and notificationfunctions. A data analysis and management system handles pass throughdata and archived data, while a data integration framework provides SQLintegration, web services integration, ECEL integration, XML/JSONintegration, and other integration. The data integration places datafrom all sources into a common format along a common scale. This allowspresentation of multiple strips on a display in a meaningful fashion.

Data is harmonized for integration by subjecting it to a variety ofnormalizing operations. For example, volumetric, spatial, and/ortemporal operations may be applied to data. Normalized data is createdwhich enables meaningful comparison, analysis, and discovery of trendsand anomalies within the strips environment and also through the use ofthird party analytics tools, such as SAS and Teradata.

Data for multiple strips can be stored in a common data warehouse. Linksbetween strips are created based on pattern recognition or tags embeddedin the data which enable one strip to detect related data in anotherstrip, so that strips reconfigure themselves automatically to showrelated data in adjacent strips.

Computer Implementation

FIG. 24 is a block schematic diagram of a machine in the exemplary formof a computer system 1600 within which a set of instructions for causingthe machine to perform any one of the foregoing methodologies may beexecuted. In alternative embodiments, the machine may comprise orinclude a network router, a network switch, a network bridge, personaldigital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a Web appliance or anymachine capable of executing or transmitting a sequence of instructionsthat specify actions to be taken.

The computer system 1600 includes a processor 1602, a main memory 1604and a static memory 1606, which communicate with each other via a bus1608. The computer system 1600 may further include a display unit 1610,for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT).The computer system 1600 also includes an alphanumeric input device1612, for example, a keyboard; a cursor control device 1614, forexample, a mouse; a disk drive unit 1616, a signal generation device1618, for example, a speaker, and a network interface device 1628.

The disk drive unit 1616 includes a machine-readable medium 1624 onwhich is stored a set of executable instructions, i.e., software, 1626embodying any one, or all, of the methodologies described herein below.The software 1626 is also shown to reside, completely or at leastpartially, within the main memory 1604 and/or within the processor 1602.The software 1626 may further be transmitted or received over a network1630 by means of a network interface device 1628.

In contrast to the system 1600 discussed above, a different embodimentuses logic circuitry instead of computer-executed instructions toimplement processing entities. Depending upon the particularrequirements of the application in the areas of speed, expense, toolingcosts, and the like, this logic may be implemented by constructing anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having thousands of tinyintegrated transistors. Such an ASIC may be implemented withcomplementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), transistor-transistorlogic (TTL), very large systems integration (VLSI), or another suitableconstruction. Other alternatives include a digital signal processingchip (DSP), discrete circuitry (such as resistors, capacitors, diodes,inductors, and transistors), field programmable gate array (FPGA),programmable logic array (PLA), programmable logic device (PLD), and thelike.

It is to be understood that embodiments may be used as or to supportsoftware programs or software modules executed upon some form ofprocessing core (such as the CPU of a computer) or otherwise implementedor realized upon or within a machine or computer readable medium. Amachine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing ortransmitting information in a form readable by a machine, e.g., acomputer. For example, a machine readable medium includes read-onlymemory (ROM); random access memory (RAM);

magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memorydevices; electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagatedsignals, for example, carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals,etc.; or any other type of media suitable for storing or transmittinginformation.

Although the invention is described herein with reference to thepreferred embodiment, one skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat other applications may be substituted for those set forth hereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the invention should only be limited by the Claims includedbelow.

1. A method comprising: acquiring time-varying information from multipleindependent sources; subjecting the time-varying information to anormalizing operation that causes the time-varying information to bealigned in a temporal domain; creating a strip from the time-varyinginformation, wherein the strip represents a coherent visualization ofthe time-varying information across a specified period of time;integrating a media clip within the strip in a time-synchronous manner,wherein the media clip is acquired from a particular source of themultiple independent sources; identifying multiple strips related to acommon topic, the multiple strips including the strip; displaying themultiple strips in an arrangement to effect a multi-dimensionalvisualization of the time-varying information, wherein the arrangementaligns the multiple strips along a common timeline; and enabling a userto visually identify causation between events by scrolling through themultiple strips, wherein the arrangement permits the user to see how afirst event included in a first strip is temporally related to a secondevent in a second strip.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the multipleindependent sources includes a public data source and a private datasource accessed via a third-party plug-in.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the strip enables visual and programmatic comparison oftime-varying information from different sources at a single moment intime.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the media clip includes textmedia, visual media, audio media, or any combination thereof.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein each strip of the multiple strips isindividually manipulable to provide insights into the time-varyinginformation used to create each strip.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: providing a target data threshold that, when reached, causesan alert message to be generated; and providing a summary data panelthat shows current data values for the time-varying information comparedwith a selected moment from the past.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid displaying comprises: posting the arrangement on anetwork-accessible interface accessible via a Uniform Resource Locator(URL).
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: receiving inputindicative of a request to share the URL with a second user; causingtransmission of the URL to the second user across a network; andenabling multi-user engagement with the network-accessible interface bydisplaying comments created by the user and the second user.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving first input indicativeof a selection of the strip; receiving second input indicative of anidentification of a filtering criterion; filtering the time-varyinginformation using the filtering criterion; and modifying the strip basedon an outcome of said filtering.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein eachstrip of the multiple strips provides time-varying information of adifferent type or retrieved from a different source.
 11. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium with instructions stored thereonthat, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to performoperations comprising: acquiring time-varying information from multipleindependent sources in real time; subjecting the time-varyinginformation to a normalizing operation that causes the time-varyinginformation to be aligned in a temporal domain; creating a first stripfrom the time-varying information, wherein the first strip represents acoherent visualization of the time-varying information that enablesvisual and programmatic comparison of data across a specified period oftime; and aligning the first strip with a second strip along a commontimeline to effect a multi-dimensional visualization of the time-varyinginformation, wherein said temporally aligning enables a user to visuallyobserve how a first event included in the first strip is temporallyrelated to a second event included in the second strip.
 12. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein theoperations further comprise: placing the time-varying information fromthe multiple independent sources into a common format along a commonscale.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11,wherein the operations further comprise: posting the first and secondstrips on a network-accessible interface accessible to a user via aUniform Resource Locator (URL); receiving input indicative of a requestto share the URL with a second user; causing transmission of the URL tothe second user across a network; and enabling multi-user engagementwith the network-accessible interface by displaying comments created bythe user and the second user.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 11, wherein the multiple independent sources include anyof social media, news, Web traffic, marketing activity, advertisingcampaign activity, internal systems status, or financial marketactivity.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11,wherein the first strip is associated with time-varying informationacquired from a social media platform and the second strip is associatedwith time-varying information acquired from another source, and whereinthe alignment of the first and second strips permits a user to see howevents included in the second strip are temporally related to socialmedia activity represented in the first strip.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the operations furthercomprise: providing an archival tool for saving an arrangement of thefirst and second strips for later search and analysis, wherein thearchival tool allows a user to travel backwards in time along the commontimeline to view conducted past events, and wherein the archival toolallows the user to travel forwards in time along the common timeline toview scheduled future events.
 17. A computing device comprising: amemory that includes instructions for creating multi-dimensionalvisualizations of time-varying information, wherein the instructions,when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: track multipleindependent sources of time-varying information in real time; subjectthe time-varying information to a normalizing operation that causes thetime-varying information to be aligned in a temporal domain; createmultiple strips from the time-varying information, wherein each strip ofthe multiple strips represents a coherent visualization of correspondingtime-varying information across a corresponding period of time, andwherein the multiple strips relate to one another as a common topic, buteach strip of the multiple strips provides time-varying information of adifferent type or retrieved from a different source; align the multiplestrips along a common timeline to effect a multi-dimensionalvisualization of the time-varying information, wherein said aligningenables visual and programmatic comparison of the time-varyinginformation; and enable a user to scroll through the multiple strips tovisually observe how a first event included in a first strip istemporally related to a second event included in a second strip.
 18. Thecomputing device of claim 17, wherein the instructions further cause theprocessor to: apply a function to the time-varying information used tocreate one or more strips to produce a derived strip; and cause displayof the derived strip along the common timeline.
 19. The computing deviceof claim 17, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:nest at least two strips inside of a summary strip that shows anaggregated view of corresponding sources.
 20. The computing device ofclaim 17, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:adjust a scale of the common timeline to support a comparison of eventsfrom different periods of time.